TME’s Favorite Albums of 2011: #19-15

19.  Benjamin Francis Leftwich – Last Smoke Before The Snowstorm

The music world needs another average Elliott Smith rip off like it needs another Nickelback record.  Luckily, Benjamin Francis Leftwich, which I will call BFL, is not average on “Last Smoke Before Snowstorm.”  He expands on the Smith sound and makes it his own.  The music still has a somber feel to it, but it is not so sad sounding that at the end you want to go cry in a corner. 

Music from Denmark: Mew

Mew

Origin:  Hellerup, Denmark

Label:  Evil Office

Genre:  Indie Rock

Sub Genres:  New Prog, Dream Pop

Vocal style:  High key male voice

From the bands mouth: “the world’s only indie stadium band”  Guitarist Bo Madsen

For fans of:  Muse, Mercury Rev, Dredg

TME’s Favorite Albums of 2011: #25-20

25.  Moving Mountains – Waves

A couple years ago “Pneuma” was a top 5 album.  This time around the change in sound did not quite produce the same standout album. Solid effort and the new direction will be a plus for anyone who likes Thrice and is looking for something similar.

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24.  Trivium – In Waves

Trivium comes back with another album where they refuse to let people stick them into one genre.  Switching back and forth between heavy, super heavy, and not really heavy gives this album a bit of inconsistency.  A good effort by Trivium, but the

Artist to Watch: Gary Clark Jr.

Gary Clark Jr. is already a rock star in Austin, TX.  2012 might be the year he becomes a more universal name.  With the Black Keys leading the 70′s blues rock revival other musicians will have chances to get into the national spotlight.  Clark’s catchy blues rock with soul influences has already opened some eyes with his 2011 EP “Bright Lights” getting mentions in Rolling Stone and Spin magazines.

Keep an ear out for Gary Clark Jr. this year because he might be that next star with his singles all over commercials and TV shows.

 

The Urge Back Together Again In St. Louis

The Urge is the one band that came out of St. Louis that is able to unify all music lovers in the town.  I am 31 and almost anyone around my age has not only heard of the Urge, but they have probably seen them play a show somewhere.  I still remember being in high school standing in line at Mississippi Nights (man I wish this place was still around) hoping to get into the show.  The line was hundreds deep, bent around the corner and it was cold, but it didn’t matter to any of us.  We had to get into that show.  It was the Urge and I needed to hear them play “Gettin Hectic.”  That particular show I did not get into.  I was only 17 and didn’t have a fake ID so the big boys got to go in before the under age kids.

I did get to see them soon after that and loved every minute of the show.  The energy they bring and the catchiness of every one of their songs makes it a must see.  The Urge broke up early

Music from Denmark: Kashmir

Our next stop around the world is Denmark.

Kashmir

Label:  Sony Records

Genre:  Rock

Sub Genres:  Alternative Rock

Vocal style:  Raspy

For fans of:  Wintersleep, Muse, Radiohead

A night with City and Colour

I wasn’t sure what I was going to get when I went to see City and Colour.  In my head I was thinking will this be a real chill one man guitar concert, or is it going to be more of a band driven show focused more on how their latest album sounds.  It turns out I had the pleasure of witnessing both.

Music from Denmark: Volbeat

 

Our next stop around the world is Denmark.

Volbeat

Hometown:  Copenhagen

Label:  Universal

Genre:  Rock, Metal

Sub Genres:  Progressive rock, Thrash, Rockabilly

Vocal style:  Elvis

For fans of: Metallica, Elvis

Musical Artists on the Late Night Circuit w/o Nov 7th

Conan
Monday Nov 7– Joe Jonas
Tuesday Nov 8– None
Wednesday Nov 9– None
Thursday Nov 10 – None

Jay Leno
Monday Nov 7 – Iris
Tuesday Nov 8 – Lyle Lovett
Wednesday Nov 9 – Andrea Boselli
Thursday Nov 10 – Ill Divo
Friday Nov 11 – Nicole Scherzinger

Jimmy Fallon
Monday Nov 7– St. Vincent
Tuesday Nov 8 – Chromeo
Wednesday Nov 9 – None
Thursday Nov 10 – Hunter Hayes
Friday Nov 11 – Beyonce

Jimmy Kimmel
Monday Nov 7 – Junip
Tuesday Nov 8 – Whale
Wednesday Nov 9 – Thompson Square
Thursday Nov 10 – None
Friday Nov 11 – TBD

David letterman
Monday Nov 7 – Joan Baez and Kris Kristofferson
Tuesday Nov 8 – None
Wednesday Nov 9 – Peter Gabriel
Thursday Nov 10 – Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
Friday Nov 11 – Steve Martin with the Lonesome River Band

Last Call w/Carson Daly
Monday Nov 7 – Lykke Li
Tuesday Nov 8 – The Decemberists
Wednesday Nov 9 – Death Cab for Cutie
Thursday Nov 10 – Atmosphere
Friday Nov 11 – Thievery Corporation

Acoustic Performance by Hurt at the Duck Room

I got a chance to check out Hurt play an acoustic show at the famous Duck Room in St. Louis.  It was such a great experience, and I suggest anyone who is a fan of Hurt go see this tour.  Sometimes it is so refreshing to see an artist go out of the box and do something a little different.  By their own admission they were not sure how this show was going to sound, but they pulled it off quite nicely.    Accompanied by Patrice Jackson-Tilghman on the cello, Hurt made the transition perfectly.  Since many of their songs already use acoustic type guitar parts the transition was seamless.

Michael Roberts was great plucking away at his guitar followed by his guitar pick pitch to the crowd when he needed to switch to finger style.  But the show was stolen by J. Loren.  He played guitar, switched to violin several times, all while belting out tunes in his signature fashion.  The great thing about an up close and personal acoustic show like this one is that you could see the emotion on J. Loren’s face while performing.  He puts everything into his shows and his intensity did not go unnoticed.  The set list included songs from Hurt’s entire career and they performed most fan favorites.  All in all a great night with a great band who had the guts to do something different.  If they come to your city on this acoustic tour be sure to check them out.